User interface incorporating emulated hard keys
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A reconfigurable interface, comprising:
- a reconfigurable keyboard configurable to emulate a first user-selected keyboard, the reconfigurable keyboard comprising an array of microchambers, each microchamber coupled to a port though which a fluid is injected into the microchamber for changing the microchamber from a first height to a second height, each port including a bi-stable valve operable for regulating the injection of the fluid into the microchamber; and
a keyboard emulator controller operable to emulate a first user-selected keyboard upon the reconfigurable keyboard, the emulation comprising setting a first group of microchambers in the array to the second height by operating a respective set of bi-stable valves for injecting the fluid into each of the first group of microchambers, whereupon the first group of microchambers collectively constitute a first emulated hard key that emulates a first key of the first user-selected keyboard.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An emulated hard key that emulates a key of a user-selected keyboard is generated on a reconfigurable keyboard. In one exemplary embodiment, the reconfigurable keyboard has an array of microchambers. Each microchamber is operable to change from a first height to a second height. A keyboard emulator controller controls the array of microchambers to set a first group of microchambers to the second height. When set to the second height, the first group of microchambers collectively emulates a first key of the user-selected keyboard.
178 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A reconfigurable interface, comprising:
-
a reconfigurable keyboard configurable to emulate a first user-selected keyboard, the reconfigurable keyboard comprising an array of microchambers, each microchamber coupled to a port though which a fluid is injected into the microchamber for changing the microchamber from a first height to a second height, each port including a bi-stable valve operable for regulating the injection of the fluid into the microchamber; and a keyboard emulator controller operable to emulate a first user-selected keyboard upon the reconfigurable keyboard, the emulation comprising setting a first group of microchambers in the array to the second height by operating a respective set of bi-stable valves for injecting the fluid into each of the first group of microchambers, whereupon the first group of microchambers collectively constitute a first emulated hard key that emulates a first key of the first user-selected keyboard. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method of keyboard emulation, the method comprising:
-
providing a reconfigurable keyboard; providing a selector for selecting at least one of a first emulated keyboard and a second emulated keyboard; emulating, when the first emulated keyboard is selected, a first key of the first emulated keyboard by configuring a first portion of the reconfigurable keyboard to emulate a first hard key, wherein configuring the first portion of the keyboard comprises; opening a first bi-stable valve coupled to a first port of a first microchamber; injecting a fluid into the first microchamber for changing the height of the first microchamber from a first height to a second height; and emulating, when the second emulated keyboard is selected, a first key of the second emulated keyboard by configuring a second portion of the reconfigurable keyboard to emulate a second hard key, wherein configuring the second portion of the keyboard comprises; opening a second bi-stable valve coupled to a second port of a second microchamber; injecting the fluid into the second microchamber for changing the height of the second microchamber from the first height to the second height. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A reconfigurable interface, comprising:
-
a reconfigurable keyboard that includes an array of microchambers, each microchamber comprising; a port; and a bi-stable valve; and a keyboard emulator controller operable to place the bi-stable valve in an open position for one of a) injecting a fluid into a respective microchamber or b) extracting the fluid from the respective microchamber, the keyboard controller further operable to configure a first group of microchambers to collectively represent an emulated hard key of a keyboard by controlling the quantity of fluid contained in each of the microchambers in the first group of microchambers. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
-
Specification